Central Government's decision to establish a handloom cluster in Salem has come as a big boost to the weaving community, which will be able to build their capacity and sustain themselves in the world market.
Under the scheme, Government will help weavers in procurement, production, marketing and other activities along with providing help in infrastructure development.
Salem used to boast of more than 100,000 of handlooms, which have now been reduced to 20,000 with many switching to power looms. Even though weaving of pure silk sarees, dhotis, shirting is still going on, fifty percent of them are still outside the co-operative societies.
Efforts are under way to incorporate them to provide the benefit of this scheme.